Propeller



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. L. WALKER PROPELLER Filed Feb. 13 1922 May 8, 1923.

WWI E5556 zu mLiw/wp e m r r G E. L. WALKER May 8, 1923.

PROPELLER Filed Feb. 13 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorney,

May 8, 1923.

E. L. WALKER PROPELLER Filed Feb. 13 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ceiving t m L.- WALKER, 0F ONAWAY, MICHIGAN.

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v Application filed February 13, 1922.. Serial No. 536,224.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN L. WAnKnn, a citizen of the United States, 'residlng at Onaway, in the county of Presque Isle and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Propeller, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a propeller especially designed for use with aeroplanes and the like and has for its principal ob ect to provide a device of this nature which is provided with blades that are flexible both longitudinally and transversely, thereby affording more eflicient operation of the propeller and attaining more pulllng or pushin power therefrom.

Anot or object of the inventlon' 1s to generally improve upon propellers of th s nature .by 'roviding a device which 1s extremel simple in construction, eflicient 1n operation, durable, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description progresses, the invention relates to certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of arts as will be hereinafter more fully descrlbed and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a plan of the propeller,

Figure 2 is a similar view taken from the opposite side from that shown 1n Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a lan view of one blade showin the laminations thereof partly separated, igure 4 is a transverse section taken through one of the blades approximately on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a transverse vlew through the laminations of one blade showing the same se arated,

igure 6 is a transverse section taken through the body portion of the propeller,

Figure 7 is alongitudinal section taken therethrough approximately on the line 7-7 of Figure 6, and a Fi re 8 is a diagrammatic view indicatin t e propeller in edge elevation.

Feferring to the drawing in detail it Wlll be seen that 1 designates the body portion of the propeller which in the present illustration of the invention is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed arms 2 having suitable lpockets 3 formed therein for res blades indicated generally at 4.

Each blade comprises a plur 1ty of laminaspring steel. In the present illustration of my invention I have shown three laminations including the main lamination 5, the

intermediate lamination 6 and the small lamination 7. The main lamination 5 forms the body of the blade and is provided with a pocket 7 and an over-hanging ledge '8 which is provided with a groove 9;. The intermediate lamination 6 is provided with a pocket 30 and an over-hanging ledge 31 which is provided with the groove 32. The intermedlate lamination 6, however, is provided adjacent its cutting edge with a groove 10 for receiving the ledge 8 of the main lamination 5. provided at its cutting edge with a ridge or raised ortion 11 which is adapted to slide in the groove 32 of the intermediate lamination 6. The non-cutting edges of these laminations 5,6 and 7 are comparatively thin and 33 are provided adjacent the non-cutedge of a birds wing. The shoulders 13 and 33 are provided adjacent the non-cutting edges on the laminations 5 and 6 and the end of the pockets 7 and 30 thereof so as to limit the transverse flexibility of the blade as is illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 4. The full line illustration in Figufe 4 represents the normal position of the blade. These laminations are assembled by sliding the intermediate lamination in the pocket 7 of the main lamination 5 from its inner end and the small lamination 7 is then .slid in the pocket 30 of the intermediate lamination 6 and the parts may be suitably bolted together as at 14 and 15. As is illus- The small lamination 7 is trated to advantage in Figure 8 this construction allows the blades to flex longitudinally, since the parts are capable of sliding to a limited extent in relation to each other and because the laminations are formed of some flexible material as previously indicated. This longitudinal flexing of the blades 4 is limited by the shoulders 17 and the dove tailed shaped ends 22 of the various laminations as is illustrated to advantage in Figure 3.

0n the face of the body 1 opposite that which is flush withthe plate 19 have pro-. vided a cone-sha anti-resistance shield 24: which is suitaly riveted to the central portion of the body 1 and aids in cutting the air. 1

It is thought-that the operation and advantages of the invention will now beclearly understood without a more detailed description thereof. It is to be noted, however, that I have illustrated the invention in one embodiment only and particularly with a pulling propeller, and it is to be understood that the same principle may be used in a pushing propeller with only minute changes in construction. ll, therefore, desire to reserve the right to make such changes as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what ll claim as new is 1. A propeller of the class described including a bod portion and a plurality of blades carrie thereby, said blades being flexible both longitudinally and transverse%[y.

2. n combination, a body portion, a plurality of blades attached to the body portion, each blade formed of a plurality of flexible laminations engaged with one another along one longitudinal edge.

3. In combination, a body portion, a plurality of blades attached to the body portion, each blade including a plurality of superimposed laminations capable of sliding in relation to each other both transversely and longitudinaly so as. to allow the blade to flex bothtransversely and longitudinally in the manner and for the purpose specified. I

d. In combination, a body portion, a plurality of blades carried by said body portion, each blade including a plurality of superimposed laminations, means at one longitudinal edge of each blade for holding the linations together and allowing the same to flex longitudinally and transversely in relation to each other.

netaeeo 5. ln combination, a body portion a plu= rality of blades attached a the body portion, each blade including a plurality of lamlnations some of which are provided with pockets for receiving the superimposed T lamination thereon.

6. In combination, a body portion, a plurality of blades attached to the body portion, each blade including a plurality of laminations some of which are provide with pockets for receiving the superimposed lamination. thereon, and grooved ledges extending over said pockets, and ridges formed on the laminations in said pockets for engagement with said grooved ledges.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a blade for a propeller including a plurality of laminations superimposed upon one another and capable of flexing both longitudinallg and transversely.

8. s a new article of manufacture, a blade for propellers including a plurality of laminations joined along one longitudinal edge so as to be capable of flexing both longitudinally and transversely.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a blade for propellers including a plurality of superimposed flexible laminations each of which tapers from one longitudinal edge to the other longitudinal edge, the thicker longitudinal edges being disposed adjacent to each other so that the blade tapers transversely.

10. As a new article ofmanu'facture, a blade for a propeller including a plurality of superimposed flexible laminations each of which tapers transversely, the thicker longitudinal edges of the laminations being disposed adjacent each other so that the blade tapers transversely and means for engaging the thicker longitudinal edges of the laminations with one another so that the laminations ma flex longitudinally in relation to one anot er.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN L. WALKER.

Witnesses:

Vroron Vnnnrou, Juan Mol'mon. 

